About
"I'm proudest of the fact that I fell in step with an audience taste-level that I knew how to judge and deliver for consistently. It wasn't a one-shot, it wasn't a lucky this or a that. It's a consistent body of work that has some symmetry to it in terms of why it worked and how it worked."
In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Glen A. Larson (1937-2014) talks about his early years as a member of the popular musical act The Four Preps. He discusses being an NBC page and recalls his transition to television writing and production. He speaks of becoming a story editor and producer on It Takes a Thief, writing for McCloud, and creating Alias Smith and Jones and The Six Million Dollar Man. Larson also talks of creating B.J. and the Bear, Lobo, Battlestar Galactica, Quincy, M.E., Magnum P.I., and Knight Rider. He comments on the importance of theme songs and recalls his work on Manimal and Trauma Center. Lee Goldberg conducted the interview on February 5, 2009 in Woodland Hills, CA.
Highlights
Glen A. Larson on creating the word "frack" for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on casting William Daniels as "Kitt" on Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on producing Manimal
Glen A. Larson on the importance of television theme songs
Glen A. Larson on utilizing "predicament humor" in his writing
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his love for early radio; on being an NBC page; on his early music career
On his early writing career; on becoming story editor and producer on It Takes a Thief
On becoming a writer on the TV show McCloud; on creating Alias Smith and Jones
Chapter 2
On creating Alias Smith and Jones; on creating and subsequently leaving The Six Million Dollar Man; on writing theme songs
On "fixing" television shows; on writing and creating Switch
On creating Quincy, M.E. and getting fired from the show; on becoming a force in the television industry
On creating B.J. and the Bear; on creating the hour-long comedyLobo
Chapter 3
On the genesis, creation and production of Battlestar Galactica
On the language, culture and universe of Battlestar Galactica; on casting Battlestar Galactica
On the writing process for Battlestar Galactica; on the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica; on the SyFy Channel remake of the show
On the longevity of the premise of Battlestar Galactica; on creating and casting Buck Rogers in the 25th Century; on surviving in the television industry
Chapter 4
On creating and developing Magnum, P.I.
On creating Knight Rider and his limited role in the day to day production of the show
On the importance of television theme songs
On the remake and the legacy of Knight Rider; on the unsold pilot Nightside and the failed series Fitz and Bones; on leaving Universal for Fox
On the genesis of and casting The Fall Guy; on producing Manimal; on producing the short-lived series Cover Up, Trauma Center, Half Nelson, and The Highway Man
Chapter 5
On the television series P.S.I. Luv U, One West Waikiki and Night Man; on working with television executives
On his then-current projects; on his achievements and regrets; on advice to aspiring writers and the future of television
Shows
Alias Smith and Jones
Glen A. Larson on creating Alias Smith and Jones
Glen A. Larson on creating Alias Smith and Jones
Battlestar Galactica (1978-80)
Glen A. Larson on the genesis of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the budget constraints of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on selling Battlestar Galactica to the network
Glen A. Larson on how he came up the the name Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on creating the universe of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on casting Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the look of the Galactica on Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on writing the theme song for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the writing process for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the reasons for the cancellation of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on his opinion of the SyFy Channel's remake of Battlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica (2004-09)
Glen A. Larson on his opinion of the SyFy Channel's remake of Battlestar Galactica
BJ and the Bear
Glen A. Larson on creating B.J. and the Bear
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Glen A. Larson on the genesis of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Glen A. Larson on casting Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Fall Guy, The
Glen A. Larson on the genesis of The Fall Guy
Glen A. Larson on casting The Fall Guy
Glen A. Larson on stunts for The Fall Guy
It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on how he came to be story editor on It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on his duties as story editor on It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on how he became a producer of It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on writing for It Takes a Thief
Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on creating the pilot for Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on casting William Daniels as "Kitt" on Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on his day to day role in the production of Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on creating "Kitt" the car on Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on casting Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on composing the theme to Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on NBC's remake of Knight Rider
Magnum, P.I.
Glen A. Larson on creating Magnum, P.I.
McCloud
Glen A. Larson on writing for McCloud
Glen A. Larson on Dennis Weaver as "Sam McCloud" on McCloud
Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo, The
Glen A. Larson on creating the hour-long comedy The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo
Quincy, M.E.
Glen A. Larson on creating Quincy, M.E.
Glen A. Larson on conflicts with Jack Klugman on Quincy, M.E.
Glen A. Larson on the influence of Quincy, M.E.
Six Million Dollar Man, The
Glen A. Larson on writing the first two 90 minute episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man
Glen A. Larson on the pilot Cyborg which became The Six Million Dollar Man
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Glen A. Larson on creating "Kitt" the car on Knight Rider
Pop Culture
Glen A. Larson on the theme songs to BJ and the Bear and Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the theme song for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on creating "Kitt" the car on Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on composing the theme to Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on composing the theme song to The Fall Guy
TV Theme Songs
Glen A. Larson on the theme songs to BJ and the Bear and Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the theme song for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on composing the theme to Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on composing the theme song to The Fall Guy
Professions
Producers
Glen A. Larson on how he became a producer of It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on his philosophy of survival in the television industry
Glen A. Larson on what he expects from television executives as a producer
Show Creators
Glen A. Larson on the writing process for Battlestar Galactica
Writers
Glen A. Larson on utilizing "predicament humor" in his writing
Glen A. Larson on his learning process at Universal Television
Glen A. Larson on mentoring other writers
Glen A. Larson on the writing process for Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on advice to aspiring writers
Genres
Adventure/Espionage Series
Glen A. Larson on creating the pilot for Knight Rider
Glen A. Larson on the genesis and casting of The Fall Guy
Comedy Series
Glen A. Larson on creating B.J. and the Bear
Glen A. Larson on creating Lobo
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Glen A. Larson on writing for McCloud
Glen A. Larson on creating Magnum, P.I.
Drama Series
Glen A. Larson on writing for It Takes a Thief
Glen A. Larson on writing the first two 90 minute episodes of The Six Million Dollar Man
Glen A. Larson on creating Quincy, M.E.
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Glen A. Larson on the genesis of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on creating the universe of Battlestar Galactica
Glen A. Larson on the genesis of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
Glen A. Larson on casting Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
People
Dick Clark
Glen A. Larson on trading practical jokes with Dick Clark
William Conrad
Glen A. Larson on using William Conrad for voice over on several of his projects
Lorne Greene
Glen A. Larson on Lorne Greene as "Commander Adama" on Battlestar Galactica
Don Johnson
Glen A. Larson on why Don Johnson didn't get cast in Battlestar Galactica
Jack Klugman
Glen A. Larson on conflicts with Jack Klugman on Quincy, M.E.
Fred Silverman
Glen A. Larson on working with CBS executive Fred Silverman
Dennis Weaver
Glen A. Larson on Dennis Weaver as "Sam McCloud" on McCloud